Sarge, there was a nice clearing about 1/2 mile from TH1. It might be worth looking into as a campsite? We could park a couple of cars at our destination and shuttle back to TH1 and then we wouldn't be backtracking on the hike. Just a thought.
Sarge, there was a nice clearing about 1/2 mile from TH1. It might be worth looking into as a campsite? We could park a couple of cars at our destination and shuttle back to TH1 and then we wouldn't be backtracking on the hike. Just a thought.
If you ain't havin' fun, you're doin' it wrong
OK. I'll plan on marking the trail with glow sticks, but make sure you've got adequate lighting with fresh batteries for finding the trail. I've got enough to mark the .5 miles we planned on last time, I'll get a few more to account for the added distance.
Here's another version of the Trail Guide. You'll have to read backwards, but the hike in starts at Mile 8.7 and the thentative campsite will be at Mile 8.0. Thsio trailguide does not mention "possible campsite", but does mentione that Pole Creek may be difficult to cross if its been raining. Looking at the Topo Map, there is a bit of a moderate descent into Pole Creek, so be advised to take this slowly in the dark or dusk.
Alternatively, we can camp near the parking lot, but regs say that we must be at least 300 feet away from it. Last time Weaseal was out there, he said that the underbrush on either side of the trail ibn that vicinity was thick. Camping near the parking lot adds about a half mile to Saturday's hike.
The closest parking to the destination is PL #2. Its about a quarter mile or so from where we camped last time.
But, we could camp where you're talking about and do an 8.65, 12.39, or 16.44 mile loop to the destination near FS211A & where the trail crosses it and then we'd be only about 3 miles from PL # 1 and wouldn't have to shuttel at all.
The only known water on any of those routes is near the destination.
EDIT TO ADD:
It does have the advantage of being the safest and shortest to traverse at dusk or night.
I agree. I would love to do the whole loop. We would only need enough water to make it to the pond. We would be close enough to the car that cooking water would be available.
If you ain't havin' fun, you're doin' it wrong
The entire loop is 27 miles. We can do it, but the campsites we found would be somewhere around the 24 mile point. That's a bit beyond the capabilities of this fat old man.
I'm game for doing the 16 miles carrying a gallon of water for the trip and getting cooking/cleaning water at the pond.
Let's not get too ambitious and have a relaxing weekend...
ok ok....I got a little excited. I'm good with whatever we all decide.
If you ain't havin' fun, you're doin' it wrong
The terrain out there isn't all that bad, mostly flat. Changes in elevation are mainly at the creek crossings and can be a bit steep, but nothing really terrible. Normally under such conditions you can expect it to take anywhere from 4-6 hours to traverse 16 miles. If we budget 8 hours we'll have plenty of time for a big breakfast, leisurely lunch, sight seeing, frequent rests, etc. and still get to the Saturday nite camp with plenty of daylight left in the day.
[QUOTE=sargevining;802847]OK. I'll plan on marking the trail with glow sticks, but make sure you've got adequate lighting with fresh batteries for finding the trail. I've got enough to mark the .5 miles we planned on last time, I'll get a few more to account for the added distance.
Will do. As long as the entry is marked and the campsite, I shouldnt have any problems finding it.
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